Spring-forming machine



April 21,

c. PETERSON .1,801,820

SPRING FORMING- MACHINE Filed Feb. l2, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet l April 21, 1931. Q, PETERSON 1,801,820

SPRING FORMING MACHINE Filed Feb. l2, 1929 3 SheetS-Sheet 2 April 21,' 1931'. C, PTERS'ON 1,801,820

SPRING FORMING MACHINE Filed Feb. l2, 1929 VC5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Apr. 21, 1931 Unirse STATES PAT-Enr ori-ica CARL .PETERSON oF RQSLINDALE,.MASSA'CHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR 'ro GEORGE LAWRENCE,

on CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS .SPRING-FORMING MACHINE Application le'd February 12, 1929. Serial No. 339,421.

My 'invention aims to provide improvements in :spring-forming machines part-icu- 1irly adapted v'for Vforming spring leaf mem- TS; Blf-"f In the drawings, `wihioh illustrate a pre- ',tferred embodiment-ot` my invention fFigure 1. isf-an' 'elevation view of the `spring-fformi-ng machine showing-'the quencht'an'lr'inv cross-section and showing the 1 relation of'the-parts of the machine when a spring lfeat `-is vbeing tempered fFig. 2 is a part `-section and part elevation Ottone-half ofthe machine lshowingthe relation ofthe partsavhen the spring bending meal-ns is in'position 't'oremove a formed Springv or receive a leaf to be bent' Fig 3 is `a section Ltaken on thelline 8 -3 o'Figz 2,;

i Fig. 4.- -is a section -ta'ken on the line 4 4 @2 .or Fig. e;

' "'"Fig' '5 isa skeleton-ized view of the ma- Vvchine showing the relation of the parts after the spring leaf lhas been bent and before it is lowered 'into 'the quenching tank;

Fig. 6 is a 'cross-sectional view of the valve which 'controls the flow of fluid to the vari- .ous cylinders and shows the valve in position to admit Aliuidressure to the cylinders to move the parts o themachine to the posiaoztion shown in xFig. 2;

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 6, but showing the `valve in position to admit fluidpressure ,to the cylinders to move the parts of the .machine to the position Shown in Fig. and Fig. 8 is la view .similar to Fig. 6, but showing the 4valve lin position to cut olf the fluid-pressure from the two outside cylinders and admit {luid-pressure to the other two cylinders to move the parts of the machine to the position shown in Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings, I have shown a spring forming and tempering machine which embodies vcertain features described and claimed in my co-pending applications Serial No. 125,113,1iled July 26, 1926, Serial 'No 234,126, filed November 18, 1927, and "Serial No. 208,967,1iled July 28, 1927.

The machine illust-rated in Figure 1 includes a frame placed in an upright position in a tempering tank 1 and having spaced I-shaped uprights 2 connected at their upper ends by top bars 3. These I-shaped uprights support cylinders 4; at their outer sides (Figs. 1, 2 and 5). Within each cylinder I have provided a suitable piston 5 having Ka stem 6 extending downwardly through a stuling box 7 at the lower end of the cylinder (Eig. 2) 'and connectedftoa orossbar 8.

The crossbar 8 extends through'slots 9 in the I-shaped uprights (Fig. 2) and is attached at its ends to thesteins 6, thereby being suspended in such a manner that it may move up and down with the pistons 5 with relation to the uprights `2.

The crossbar 8 may support form means of any suitable type to which a spring leaf may be shaped. However, I have preferred to illustrate the individually adjustable die members 10 in Combination with the rack and pinion and rachet mechanisms all operable in the manner more fully described in my co-pending application Serial No. 125,- 113 referred to above. With these die inembers 10 I may provide a form of any desired shape to which 1 may bend a spring leaf.

Inside the two upright members '2 and above the crossbar 8 I have provided a sec-- ond crossbar 11 having cylinders 12-12 secured to its ends. as shown in Figs. 1 and Within each cylinder 12 I have provided suitable piston 14 from which extends astem 15 passing through a. stuffing box 16 and having its other end attached to the crossbar 8, as best shown in Fig. 2. In this manner the crossbar 11 is supported entirely by the crossbar 8.

The crossbar 1 1 may carry any type of means for pressing a spring leaf to the shape of the form provided by the die memand more fully described in my copending application Serial No. 208,967 referred to bove.

Upon the frame of the frame of the machine I have supported two sets of pulleys 18-18 (Figs. 1, 3 and 5) between the top bars 3 and single pulleys 19-19 at right 'i angles to the pulleys 1818 secured to 'thc uprights 2 (Fig. adjacent their lowerl ends. An endless belt or cable passes over these pulleys 19-19 and is secured to the crossbar 8 adjacent to both ends by clamps 20-20. By this pulley and cable arrangement I have provided means whereby I secure equal movement of botlrends of the crossbar 8, thereby preventing'any posibility of the crossbars becoming jammed between the I-shaped uprigh'ts 2 2 during their movement relative to the uprights. y

In forming some spring leaves it is necessary to provide them with concaved portions near their ends (Fig. 1). Therefore, I have 'provided a pair of presser shoes 21-'21 which are secured to the ends of threaded stems 22 (Figs. 2 and 4). The stems are supported in sliding blocks 23 mounted on the cross bar 11 and are adapted to be raised or lowered by turning the nut-like members 24 suspended from the blocks 23. The blocks 23 may be moved longitudinally along' the crossbar 11 and clamped in place by ti itening the nuts 25.

The central supporting part 26 has a threaded stem 27 slidable in a block 28 mounted in the crossbar 11 and an adjusting nut 2,9 is threadably attached .to the stem for adjustment relative to the stem to provide a stop which will limit the upward movement of the part 29. This part 29 is adapted to press the yieldable means 1G against a spring leafl and is particularly adapted to press the yieldable means and spring plate into a central hollow in the form means -whenever it is desirable to make a spring f Each outlet feeds two tubes which lead to i are adapted to register with the outlet in the valve casing as and for the purposes more fully hereinafter described.

I will now describe the operation of my machine as it passes through the various stages of forming and tempering a spring admitting air or other fluid-pressure to the bottoms of the cylinders 4 and the tops of thecylinders 12. The parts assume the positions shown in Fig. 2 and the dies 10 may be adjusted to any suitable form. When the form is arranged, a spring leaf 41 (preferably heated) is placed on the dies 10, as shown in Fig. 2. Then the operator turns the valve 30 to the position shown in Fig. 7 to cut off the pressure supply to the outlet 35 and register the port 38 with the outlet 31, thereby admitting fluid-pressure to the bottoms of the cylinders 12 while the fluidpressure remains on in the cylinders 4. As the bar 8' is held stationary and the pistons 14 and stems 15 are attached in fixed rela i tion thereto, the fluid-pressure admitted to the lower ends of the cylinders 12 will 'move the cylinders 12 and crossbar 11, Itogether with the yieldable element 17, toward the crossbar 8 vand form means 10 to press the-.1

spring leaf 41 between the yieldable means 17 and dies 10, as shown in Fig. 5. Inthis Fig. 5, the shoes 21-21 are shown pressing the ends of the spring leaf 41 into the concaved portions provided by the form. By-

ders 12. Thus, the spring leaf 41 will re--Il main gripped between the forming means while the weight of the forming means and crossbars will pull the pistons 5 downwardly and allow the spring leaf to be immersed in the oil contained in the tank 1, as shown.-

in Fig. 1.

After the spring leaf has been tempered, the valve 30 may be turned again to the position shown in Fig. 2 and the bars 8 and 11 will be raised from the tank 1 and spread apart to release the spring leaf.

The valve part 30 has a by-pass port 42 (Figs. 6, 7 and 8) which is adapted to register with the outlet 31 and an opening 43 in the valve casing (Fig. 6) to release the fluid-pressure from the bottoms of the cylinders 12. This same port 42 is also adapted to connect the outlet 33 with the opening 43 (Fig. 8) to relieve the pressure in the cylinders 4. A second by-pass port 44 is provided in the valve 3() to connect the outlet 35 with an opening 45 in the valve casing (Fig. 7 thereby to relieve the fluidpressure in the tops of the cylinders 12.

At the top of each cylinder 4, I have pro- :struction .which endsof theirstrokes,v n

vided a peteeek valve 46. et well-known :eenlprevifles :Ineens for meg-t1- latngftheeseepeoar tremthe ttnPenSd-es of' the )pistone .5e'nd;alse=te :reguleteathe Ainlet 0I `air, thereby :governing `the sneed et which the Ipistons Wi-lldnop to lovverfthe crossbars `and llintojthe oiltanlr l @Coil springs i7 `are provided V.in the cylinders (Fig. 2) :to cushionthe pistons at the VRolls 48 are attached to the crossloar `8 vand bear against vthe cross-pieces of the y llfshaped' uprights 2 ,toguide the bar 8 in itsltp and down movement relative to the frame. l

While-the cable'acts gto maintain theionossbar 8in proper relation to the uprights `i2,

` "l have provided pivots ill- 9, 5 0, 51 and 52,

between the cylinders 12, and crossbars- 8 and 111,130 permit relative movement between .the lparts, so that Aif one end of the bar ll :moves downwanellya greater distance than the other end thecylinders l2 will not bind Y Ilinweil. adjustment of `carry the shoes against l the uprights. lrllhis unequal movement ofthe crossbar @ll might be caused the SCreWsjQQ ,which l -v vThe shoes *2,4 be of diil'erentlcurvatunes enel,` t.herefers,` may lee .removably at- 'Ytached so that :other shoes .may be -used .c accordingfto the curvature of `the concaved Vdo not Wish to scape of `my ,invention-is bestdeiined by the portionsdesired in jspring leaf.

While lfhave :Plteerredfembedment of my 'invention` I be limited thereby, ynsthe lfollowing claims.

Cla-infie: e Ll- In la spring-"forming machine, a supporting struc t11 ne ,a part providing a f-forni .t0 which a ,spring leatmey ibe ibent, said part being n10-Mable relative to said supporting structure, spring leaf pressing means mounted upon `a part movablenelative 'to Asaid Supportingfstrueture to press a spring leaf ,against said forni, and fluidfactuated :means connecting LSLCl parts together and ,being Operable to move-@neef said parte relative to the .other to `press ,a spr-ing .leaf leetwfeenfthe .ferm andthe -yieldeble member.

2. In a spring-forming machine, a suplporting str-uotune, a part providing `a form to which Ia spring leaf may 'be bent, said part being movable relative to said supporting structure, spring leaf pressing means `innounted Aupon a part movable relative to isaid supporting structure to press a spring leaf against said form, iuideactuated `means connecting said parts together and "being operable to move one of ,saidparts relative to the nothertofpress anspring leaf between the term Ithe `yie'lelable Ymemberand `means `OperableA t0 `hold `one `part stationary relative te the euppestrtg -strueture While thee prins le being ienmedf inounted i upon a p art ,movable relative lto l,said supporting stnucttine to press -a spring lillustrated and. described av formed `and being fee/.eend e.resaltan .3. Ina springiorming finachine` va supporting structure, a part .providing f a form yto lwhich La ,spring -leajimay be` bent,` saidV part being movable `relative toi said supporting structure, springk `leali 1pressing means mounted upon -a-partmovable relative to said suppontingstnuoture to press a spring leaf againstsaid form, fluid-actuated means connectingsaid `parts together and being` Eoperable to vm'oveffone ,of said parts relative to the other to press a spring leaf between" the term and the yieldable `member and other fluidactuated .means connecting the supporting structure and one of said parts and being operable to lloldione part stationary relative qto the supporting structure :when they-spring leaf is kbeing `formed and @being operableto move the two parts relative-to thesupporting-structure. t 4. In Aa spring-forming machine, .a suprporting structure,a pant providing a form to vwhich a spring'leaf maybebent, :said part being movable rela-tive yto said supporting ,structiwe,V spring pressing -imettllS leaf against said torni, fluidi-actuated means .operable tomovle one `of said parts relative to ,the .other-,to pressa zsprirng leaf between the formnand the yieldable member, said fiuidfactuated means comprising a ,cylinder seeuredto onelof said parts and a piston openable fin thecyllnder and secured. to .a `stem .attached :toitheotlletf Said parts. y Y

`fa sup- 5, In Va springfiorming machine, porting. structure, ay partproviding a fornito `which a spring leaf may abe .bent7V said part beine' imevebile relative te Seid etnpettine" structure, spring leal2 pressing `means;imount- `ed upon a `part movable relativebto said supporting structure to pnessa spring `leaf against lsaid form, fluid actuated means cennotifying said pants together andbeingfoperable to move one oisaid `parts `nelative to-the Y the p art which provides members` `formi means Vcarried by ,Said 4 Grossdbar, a second crossbarspaced romsaid-:iirfst crossbar and slidable `vertically relative fto Seid luptight members, fmeensieelredl-eby for Vi*fasering Spring 5 press a spring-vle-ait between the f.

yandsecured toa steinattached tothe Y leaf to the shape of'said form means, means connected directly withf said crossbars whereby one may be moved relative to the other,y and fluid-actuated means connected between the frame yand oneof the cross-bars whereby the crossbars may be moved Aas a unit relative to the upright members. l

'7. In `a'spring-formmg machine, a supf porting'f structure, a bar slidable relative .to saidsupporting.structure,1a number of pul-V leys secured to said supporting structure, a

continuous cable passing over said vpulleys fand connected to the bar adjacent its ends,

said cable providingmeans formaintaining alignment of the barv withv relation to the supporting structure, aA second bar connected directly to said first bar, means operable to move said bars together or separately and e bythe said bars. f

ving the second mentioned bar, Y bending and forming means carried Vby the spring bending and forming meansv carried 8. In a spring-formingmachine, a sup porting structure, a bar slidable relative to said supporting structure, a number of pul- Vleys secured to said supporting structure, a

continuous cable passing over Vsaid'pulleys andu connected'to the bar adjacent its ends,

said Vcable providing means for maintaining alignment of the bar with relationV to theV porting structure, abar 'slidable relative to Y saidsupporting structure, a number of puls leys secured to said supporting structure, a

`continuous cable passing over said pulleys .and connected tothe bar adjacent its ends,

said cable providing means for maintaining valignment of the vbar .with relation to the supporting structure, a second bar, fluidactuated piston means connecting thebars andV providing the only means forsupporting thesecond mentioned bar, and'spring bending andvforrningl means carriedv by theV saidv bars, saidl fiuidactuated piston means voperable to l`move one bar relative to the othervas and for the purposes described andA duid-actuated *piston "means connected between the supporting Vstructure and the first mentioned bar to provide forl movement therebetween.

10. VIn a spring-forming machine, a frame having spaced upright members, a crossbar slidable vertically relative to said upright y1n mbers,form means carried by said crossbar, a second-crossbar spaced from said first' crossbar andrslidable vertically relative to said upright members, Vmeans carried by said Y 1 secondcrossbarfor 'pressing a spring leafy to :the -shape -of said form means, .cylinders attached to said uprights,'pistons,operable within said-cylinders by fluid-pressure stems extending from saidl pistons and said first mentioned crossbar being suspended by said stems a-ndmovable therewith, cylinders se-V cured to the ends of theV second mentioned crossbar and having pistonsv operable therein by fluid-pressure, said last mentioned pistons being connected by stems to said first mentioned crossbar' as and for the purposes described.

11. In a spring-forming machine, a frame having spaced upright members, a crossbar slidable vertically relative to said upright members, form means carried by said crossbar, a second crossbar spaced from said first crossbar and slidable vertically relative to said'upright members, means carried by said second Vcrossbar forpressing a spring leaf vto the shape of said form means,fcylinders attached to said upri'glits, pistons operable .Y within said Y cylinders by fluid-pressure stems extending fromsaidpistons Aand said firstv mentioned crossbar being suspended said stems andmovabletherewith, cylinderssecured to the ends ofV the l'second mentioned crossbar and having pistons operable therein by fluid-pressure, said last mentionedVl pistons beingconnected by stemsto said first jmenticned crossbar as and for f the purposes vdescribed and a movable fieri ble connection between'the 'frame andthe first 4mentioned crossbar Vto provide means for maintaining the crossbars' in alignment with the frame. 1 Y vj Y Y' I Y' 2112. In a spring-forming machine, afsupporting structure, a crossbar carried by Ysaid supporting structure, for means carried by 1 said crossbar and providing aform to which aspring leaf maybe bent, a second 'cross-` bar, spring leaf pressingmeans carried by said Vsecond crossbar for pressingy a spring leaf'againstlsaid form' and fluid-pressure operated'piston means connected ydirectly between said crossbars,y thereby to act upon said form. means and spring leafpressing means to press a spring leaf between them.

T13. Ina spring-forming machine of the class described, a crossbar 8 anda crossbar 11, a series of independently adjustable ele nents lOrcarried'rby the crossbar 8 and providing a form Vto which-a spring leafis to be bent, a yieldably mounted member 17 carried by the crossbar 11,/a central presserl member 26l0osely mounted qfor transverse sliding movement relative to the crossbar 1'1 and adaptedv to ypressthe member 17 against the central part ofthe vform providedibythe elements 10 and two presserV members 21 adjustable transversely relative to'the'jcrossbar andlalso longitudinally. adjustable relative tothe crossbar 11, Vas 'and for the purposes illustrated and described.

14. Inav spring-forming machine fof the Y class described, a Vframe having twofupright .t

members 2**2, a crossbar 8 slidable relative' f Y thereto, a secondV crossbar 11" slidable relap tive to the upright's, fluid-.pressure operated means secured between the frame and the crossbar 8 for movingthe crossbar, other fluidpressilre operated means connected di- Y rectly between the crossloars 8 and l1 for operating` the crossbar 11 relative to the Y crossloar 8,` cable means suspended on pulleys 18 and 19 mounted upon the frame, saidl .cable means loei'ng connected to the crossbar CARL PETERSON. 

